Commercial Geothermal Hot water and Chilled Water

Geothermal Renewable Energy Commercial Water Heating Cooling reduces the cost of heating cooling large quantities of water up to 75%. With a certified coefficient of performance (COP) of between 3.5 and over 5.0, Direct Energy’s systems are verified by U.S. EPA to achieve 400% electrical efficiency and it does so every hour of the year by delivering renewable energy. CSIRO have also more recently verified these efficiencies for water chilling.

Cost Benefits of Renewable Energy Water Heating / Cooling

Direct Energy’s geothermal heat pumps deliver up to 400% electrical efficiency. For every Watt of electricity consumed by Direct Energy’s compressor, the system delivers three to four times that amount of heat / cool energy to the water tank because it is primarily transporting renewable energy.

Even though the installed cost of the Direct Energy heat pump system is greater than traditional water heaters / coolers, the monthly energy savings in commercial applications are so large that the system quickly pays for itself.

A commercial user with a Direct Energy water heating / cooling system installed at a cost of $15,000, using 8,000 liters’ of hot water per day, an electric rate of $0.1/kWh, a temperature to 45oC and the electric resistance element raises it to 51oC, in comparison with an electric water heater saves $6,681 annually.

The cost recovery period in that case is 2.2 years, for a Return On Investment of 45.4%. If the installation cost were $20,000, payback would be within 3 years and Return On Investment would be 33.9%.

Environmental Benefits

Burning fuels to create hot/cold water wastes diminishing natural resources and can never achieve 100% efficiency. The process pollutes the environment with carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides that are greenhouse gases. The U.S. EPA and DOE have determined that, in most applications, geothermal heat pumps are the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly heating systems.

Constantly Available Renewable Energy Source

The constant renewable energy from the earth is always available and is not dependent upon sunlight hours or temperate climate. This creates the ability to use heat pumps to deliver heat in cold climate and cooling solutions in hot climates, shifting demand off-peak and thereby use lower electric rates for water heating/cooling (including pools, radiant hydronic heating and thermal storage).

More recently, desert cooling applications have been tested by The U.S Department of Defence and CSIRO, CSIRO ASKAP case study.

Direct Energy vs Air Source Heat Pump for Water Heating

Can be located in mechanical room because of no need to circulate air over an exterior coil

Quiet operation resulting from total system enclosure and elimination of exterior fan and motor

Eliminates the exterior coil, fan, fan motor and capacitor, defrost timer, and ancillary wiring, making it mechanically and electrically simpler

Has greatly improved reliability and service life because of its simplicity and the stable temperature of this form of renewable energy

Application of Direct Energy’s Systems for Heating

The most economic application of Direct Energy’s system is to preheat large quantities of water.

Typically, the system provides pre-heated water to water heater tanks. As hot water is used, the preheated water is transferred to one or more commercial water heaters that further heat the water to the required use temperature. This becomes a powerful hybrid that increases system capacity and reliability.

How the Renewable Energy System Works

Direct Energy’s systems transfer heat by circulating water through HDPE earth loops that are trenched or bored into the earth. The water transfers heat from the constant temperature of the ground, through a patented flow control device to the compressor.

The compressor raises the pressure and temperature, and routes the hot vapour to the heat exchanger. The vapour, passing through sealed channels, transfers heat to circulating water. The water is heated and delivered to the hot water storage tank.

Testimonials

“The temperature is constantly stabilised and people immediately notice there is no noise, there’s no heat blowing on your face – the temperature is just comfortable.”

Mr Weinman, North Caulfield, VIC

“The technology is good for the environment and it not only adds intrinsic value to my home, but provides immediate savings in my energy bills. My electricity bill is now around $100 when it was $500.”

Dean Weinman, North Caulfield, VIC

"Complex and very thorough testing has proved that the direct exchange ground coupled heat pump system is the best available solution for providing continuous, reliable, maintenance free and cheap cooling of sensitive scientific equipment in a remote desert environment."

Dezso Kiraly, ASKAP, ATNF, CSIRO, VIC

"Using the constant temperature of the ground as a heat source and sink saves 30 -70% of our energy requirements. We thoroughly recommend that others consider Direct Energy’s direct geoexchange technology for their space and water heating and cooling. Certainly, anyone building a new home or office must consider this technology. And, as we have demonstrated, it’s not hard to use it in retrofitting an 80+ year old historic home."

Joyce Marks B.Arch Mt Eliza, VIC

"Direct Energy’s technology has cut our energy consumption by 75 % and our fossil fuel usage by more than 80%. The payback period of 6 years is considered by the club to be completely acceptable given the expected 30 to 50 year life of our building.Since commissioning, forecasted savings have been exceeded with several spin-off benefits."

Murray Neilson, B’Rush Ski Club, VIC

Announcements

Installation of GSHP cooling system for CSIRO's ASKAP for which the Prime Minister has awarded funding on 9 Jun 2010.

GSHP Installation for CSIRO’s ASKAP

Read the latest Report to the Council of Australian Governments’ Select Council on Climate Change.
Chapter 2.4, p.22 demonstrates that GSHP is moving in the right direction ! Seventeen of the submissions to this paper supported the inclusion of GSHP in the RET scheme. Various submissions refer to the technology as ground source heat pumps, direct use geothermal heating and cooling systems.
One of the primary reasons given for inclusion of this technology is that it is a form of heat pump, similar to air-sourced heat pumps that are already eligible under the RET, and utilises geothermal energy which is recognised as a renewable energy source under the RET scheme.

Critical Policy update - GSHP inclusion in RET

2012 Australian Geothermal Energy Conference

Government rebates for the installation of Geothermal Heating & Cooling are available in regional Victoria through the Four Seasons Energy Pilot Program.
Feasibility studies: Funding will be provided for community groups, councils and businesses for feasibility studies into using these new energy technologies in comparison to other combined heating and cooling options.